I have a hard time defining anxiety...but I guess it is the best way to describe my current internal brain status. I had been doing great for the last couple months after weaning off of Pristiq - 10 yrs and 10 yrs of prozac before that. In the last week, it seems I am relapsing with the unsettled thoughts, fears for the future and family. I exercise every day, read, journal, breath, talk to others and though these techniques help, I fear that I may have to return to meds. Yesterday I took a half dose of some old Xanax that I keep for desperate times. It helps quickly, but I know this is not a sustainable path. I have stated on this site and to others that I will go back to meds if the symptoms become overwhelming. I have set a deadline of September to start back on meds if I can't find a sustainable "normal" by then. Until then, I want to explore whatever natural remedies available. My mother used to say, "think your way through it". She had no idea of the physical conditions that folks like me suffer through. For me, it isn't about sadness. This is physical for me..hard to describe. The brain just doesn't function and it overshadows everything. So, I am grateful for all of the suggestions and sharing of experiences dealing with natural remedies and would also like to learn about pharmaceuticals that work . I try to be as healthy as possible so knowledge of side effects and long term effects is critical to finding an optimal solution to anxiety.